Weddings, Weekend, and Winner!

 

It’s been so fun reading all the Royal Wedding coverage on blogs today. I have to admit that while I didn’t wake up early to watch, I did catch a full recap online! Kate’s dress was positively stunning. And yes…I really only cared about the dress!

All the buzz had me reminiscing about my own wedding…and dress.

I can’t believe I only get to wear that once! Darn.

But I was quickly pulled back in to reality by my busy day! I’m working all weekend, and so this installment of Recipes for the Weekend is all about ease!

Breakfast

Isn’t She Lovely waffle

Lunch

Pushed to the Max sammie

Supper

Street Noodles!

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Winner Announced! Click here to see if you were the winner of the Gluten Hates Me Giveaway!!

Isn’t She Lovely

 

You may have noticed that I’m not posting many oatmeal recipes these days. With my workout schedule, I don’t actually have much time for breakfast in the morning. But don’t think I’m skipping breakfast. Never. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!

My current favorite breakfast takes 3 minutes to prepare and packs a fiber and protein punch!

“Isn’t She Lovely” strawberry topped waffle

The ingredients are simple.

It all started two weeks ago when these Nature’s Path waffles were on sale at Harris Teeter. (Not all NP waffles are gluten free, so be sure to check!)

One toasted gluten free waffle topped with 1/4 cup 0% fat Fage Greek Yogurt, 2 strawberries sliced, and 1 tbsp. slivered almonds.

I love the delicate crunch slivered almonds add.

And if you’re thinking you would rather top your waffle with syrup…think again!

The pillow like layer of yogurt brings a creamy, tangy touch that will woo you away from sugary syrup. But if you do miss the warmth of syrup, drizzle (not drench) the top with 1/2 tbsp. of your favorite syrup or honey.

And since I go to the gym after breakfast and drink a smoothie after the gym, I only have one waffle. But if I were going to work or starting my day directly after, I think I would have TWO!

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Don’t forget to enter in to the giveaway!! Click here!

GHM–On the Road

 

Last minute road trip!

Yesterday MOH and I took a quick road trip to Charlotte to see Iron and Wine perform. MOH is a big fan, and while they’re not on my playlist, I’ll take any excuse to hang with Alex!

What made it even better trip was when my bestie texted me about a burger joint that was near the venue and…wait for it…served gluten free buns! I practically skipped there!

Big Daddy’s Burger Bar – 1626 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC

There was a bit of a wait, but when you get to enjoy one of these with supper,

it makes it worth the wait. HOWEVER, I was a bit annoyed by the price.

I mean, we all know that booze is ridiculously overpriced, but FOUR bucks. Two beers and you’ve bought yourself a six pack! (stepping off soap box)

Not only does Big Daddy’s serve gluten free buns, but they actually had a full menu! Easy peasy ordering!

Alex and I decided to share a salad to start, so we shared a tree hugger.

Fruit and veggie overload!! This salad was the bomb. I know I shouldn’t like canned mandarin oranges…I know they’re sitting in a can of high fructose corn syrup most likely, but dang it, these really hit the spot!

The dressing was some sort of orange-honey mustard vinaigrette with chopped walnuts. Positively delicious!

For the main course, I ordered a beef burger with white cheddar, chili, and relish on a gluten free bun. Bad news – you can’t have french fries because they don’t have a dedicated fryer. Good news – they offer a “fruit bowl” as a side which is actually more like bowl!

Sorry for the blurriness, but I was just too excited to focus

Note the cheese!

Verdict – so so. I’m not sure if it was the bun or the chili, but something had a very distinct anise-y/clove taste. Neither of which are my favorite.

The texture of the bun…interesting. I guess I have been properly SPOILED by the Udi’s hamburger bun I taste tested here, but this bun was more like a scone. The texture was thick and heavy. And again, I couldn’t get over that hint of clove.

BUT overall, it wasn’t bad. I will definitely be going there every time I’m in Charlotte, and I’ll be interested to try a burger without chili. And maybe Big Daddy’s would be interested in sourcing from Udi’s like Jason’s Deli? It’s a thought!

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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!!! CLICK HERE

Gluten Hates Me GIVEAWAY!

 

We did it! (insert Dora the Explorer song)

I can’t believe that over 300 of you have decided to go facebook official with me! I’m positively blushing

So, to celebrate, I’m hosting a giveaway. All by myself!

Not one, not two, but THREE goodies that I love…almost as much as you!

First, my favorite:

“I love you more than Diet Coke” print from RetroStiletto’s Etsy shop! I bought one for myself last week, and picked one up for this giveaway!

We all know about my Diet Coke addiction, first written about here. I’ve struggled giving it up, and just when I think I’ve kicked it, someone offers me an ice cold can. Today marks 20 days off the dark temptress, and I’m hoping that this time I can find the strength to kick it for good!

But, back to the giveaway!

Secondly, a GHM tote from my spreadshirt shop!

I’ll even give you a color choice!!

And last but not least,

The food bar of your choice! I’ll throw in a LARA bar, Luna protein bar, or Amazing Grass bar. Which ever you want, in the flavor you decide!!

Sound good? Here’s how to enter!

1) Leave me a comment, or send me an email telling me that we’re facebook official!

2) Haven’t gone official? Like me on facebook, and then leave me a comment!

3) Want more chances? Tweet, Blog it, Facebook it, and then comment back that you did! (That’s FOUR more possible entries!!)

4) Still need more chances?! Leave me a comment telling me what you’d like to see here on GHM! More product reviews, more recipes, more daily life? Let me know! I love feedback!

This giveaway is closed.

And the winner is:

Email Entry – Nancy!! Congrats lady!!

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And thank you! When I started this blog three years ago, I was a newbie Celiac struggling to find positivity in my new gluten free world. But with the help of all of you, and the community that we create here, I hate gluten just as much as it hates me. And I couldn’t be happier about it!

Love you friends

Now THAT’S a SUNday

 

Few things can get me up before the sunrise with a smile on my face, and Easter Sunday is definitely one of them. Yesterday I was up and outta here for a sunrise service in the Duke Gardens. It was…magical. Wonderful. Filling.

And that’s pretty much how the rest of the day went. Parrish and I had planned to go on an Easter picnic and the weather did NOT disappoint. We headed over to West Point at the Eno, and found a shady spot.

For lunch we had some quick sandwiches, nothing too special. The star of the picnic were these babies:

Nothing but fresh pineapple and strawberry

Ten times better than any pre-mixed smoothie.

It was so nice to just have a day with the two of us, and after the picnic we took our time enjoying the park,

making new friends,

and gettin' some sun.

Truly a wonderful Sunday!

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So excited! I’m making these babies tonight…and it’s gonna be good!

And man oh man are we close!! ALMOST 300 super fab GHM readers have gone facebook official with me! Just a few more, and I’ll get to host my giveaway! My first hint was here. My second hint: rectangle.

Happy Monday!

Recipes for the Weekend and Hazel!

 

Breakfast:

Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Lunch:

Sunday Caesar Salad

Supper:

Baked Shrimp Scampi

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AND to kick off the weekend, I have a new video of our newest rescue pup Hazel! Just like Mommy and Daddy, she loves to exercise

Hold the Sugar

 

Most weeks, I end up making it to the gym 4-5 days out of the 7. During the week is actually easier than the weekend?! I’m not quite sure how it happens, but Parrish and I end up getting sucked in to time warps on the weekend…and somehow that also affects the quantity of Redbridge in the fridge.

But on the weeks where I make it six days in a row, I reward myself with…well…something silly.

Strawberry Milk! No I’m not two…I just really like strawberry milk.

But the last week when I bought my triumphant milk, I noticed the ingredients. Nothing weird, but there was added organic cane sugar. Nerds.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s delicious. But after my sixth workout in a row today, I decided to try it on my own!

5 strawberries blended with 8 ounces of low fat milk. Done!

Was it as delicious as the OGV strawberry milk? Heck no! It didn’t have any added sugar! But it was super refreshing and yummy. Different but good!

What do you reward yourself with?

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Umm..pretty much super excited about The Office tonight!

It’s Crackers? That Nuts!

 

For a few years now, I have been testing a theory. My theory is that some people have exact opposite taste buds. For example, MOH Alex hates chocolate and peanut butter but loves mint chocolate chip. I am the exact opposite.

Furthering my theory, Redbridge VS New Grist. We all know how I feel about Redbridge (LOVE) and how much I hate New Grist. And I have found from my past polling, that most folks love one or the other. Want to weigh in? Leave your vote here.

So what about crackers?

Admittedly, I’m not crazy about Nut Thins. I certainly don’t hate them…I mean, I’d eat’em. But if I had to choose, I would pick Crunchmaster I first had them at my wedding shower at work. One of my friends had found them at Costco!

You can now find them at most grocery stores…and not in bulk And coming soon, Crunchmaster has two new chips in addition to their oven baked! A few weeks ago, I was sent two boxes to review for the company, and I thought I would share with you guys!

tiny Crisps and larger Multi-grain crackers

My favorite:

The crisps are smaller than other Crunchmaster crackers, and lighter! Super airy with crispy little pockets and crunchy flax.

Perfect for a party or an afternoon snack! And best used for dipping!

And the multi-grain crackers are LARGER!

Crispy, crunchy, and perfect for topping!

Surprisingly, both crackers paired well with pimento cheese

And after a little bit of research, I discovered the best part about these little babies?

A serving of Nut Thins Almond is only 16 crackers for 130 calories and 23g of carbs. Crunchmaster Crisps serving is 30 CRACKERS with only 10 more calories and 3g less of carbs! PLUS Crisps are made with brown rice and Nut Thins are made with white rice.

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Did you notice the new tab on the GHM toolbar? Who’s Who! Check it out!

AND we’re getting close to 300 facebook friends!

When Gluten Hates Me reaches 300 friends who “like” me, I have a very special giveaway sponsored by yours truly! And here’s a hint: Diet Coke.

Want to be faccebook official with me? Click here!

So… don’t be mad

 

but…this is what I ate for supper last night.

And no, you’re not hallucinating. That is NOT a lettuce wrap.

Umm…you know how I pretty much live and breathe for Udi’s. I mean let’s be honest, my love for Udi’s lies somewhere between #1 fan and stalker. I’m leaning more towards #1 fan.

So when they asked if I would like to review some of their new products, I pretty much loaded up their inbox with exclamation points. Hell Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEW and in stores SOON!! Udi’s Classic Hamburger Buns

Check the stats! Gluten Free, Dairy Free; 4 grams fiber, 5 grams protein

Classic Hamburger bun deserves a classic burger:

Bacon Cheeseburger: Local meat ground fresh with local bacon and LOADED with ketchup and mustard. No, it’s not “healthy”. But I figure I only eat red meat once every few months, so it’s okay. PLUS it makes it ten times more delicious. Moderation right?

Ok. So you’re not mad I ate red meat. You’re mad I got to try these buns before they hit the stores. Well…guess what?

CLICK HERE and you can buy them online BEFORE they hit the stores! Bam!

If you don’t “like” Udi’s on facebook, I highly recommend it! It’s the best way to find out about their new products. And if you want to, you can become facebook official with me too. Just sayin’.

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Happy Tuesday!! Anyone else SUPER excited that Cougartown is back?